August 17, 2020: Only 18 national waterways are feasible for cargo movement and 25 others are feasible for ferrying cruise, out of the 106 national waterways notified in 2016, a study by IWAI has found. Before 2016, only 5 national waterways were notified and cargo movement is operational to some extent on these waterways – Ganga-Bhagirathi and Brahmaputra rivers.
developmental activities have been initiated in the case of 13 national waterways and work is yet to start in the remaining four for cargo movement. A master plan is also being prepared for feasible waterways for cargo and ferry operations.
Based on the feasibility studies and detailed project report of the additional 106 national waterways, the IWAI has found that rivers such as Barak, Kopli in Assam; Mandovi, Zuari and Kumerjua in Goa, Narmada and Tapi in Gujarat can be used for cargo movement.
Source: The Times of India
